Locals 2007: Abbey and Belle Horn

Abbey and Belle Horn aren’t old enough to vote. For that matter, they aren’t even old enough to be in middle school, but age hasn’t deterred the sisters from starting their own business.

As the owners and operators of Bubble Creek Soap Co., Abbey, 12, and Belle, 10, might be the youngest entrepreneurs in South Routt – if not all of Colorado.

The girls make and package a line of hand lotions, bath gels, sea salts, lip glosses and, of course, soaps, in the basement of their McCoy home.

All products come in a variety of scents, colors, sizes and themes.

“I’ve got some friends who use (the products) all the time,” Abbey said. “I had a friend who wouldn’t get out of the shower until she used the whole soap necklace.”

Abbey and Belle experiment with products and continually change their lines to accommodate customer desires and their own interests.

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For example, Belle shows off a bar of green soap containing ground alfalfa. The girls also are active in 4-H and livestock judging, so there is no shortage of alfalfa on the ranch.

The girls rarely use preservatives, which is why selling their products at summer shows can be a struggle. All-natural products often melt in the summer heat.

Bubble Creek Soap Co. products are on shelves throughout Routt County, a duty that also falls on the shoulders of the youngsters. Brita and Gary Horn certainly support their daughters, but Abbey and Belle make the phone calls, fill the orders, write invoices and manage the money.

“I do most of the math,” Belle said.

The girls have discovered the rewards of owning a business are more than monetary, although they have started their own college funds.